Steve Apostolina's Forever Bound drops directly into the heart of Los Angeles to tell the story of love. Well, sort of.
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| French Stewart and Steve Apostolina Photo by Kathy Flynn |
Book lover, Edmund (thoroughly put upon French Stewart) is hounded by creditors.
His tiny apartment / office / book store has been invaded by Periplaneta brunnea, those unwelcome crunchy critters that move with the speed of sound and scatter when the light's turn on! The book business is not going well for Edmund as we learn when his buddy Shep (crafty playwright Steve Apostolina) stops by to see what's what with Edmund. In production notes we learn that Apostolina has had a long relationship with books, having lucked into selling a first edition of "Interview with a Vampire" helping him survive as an artist come to make a name in LA. His script reflects his love of reading. Occasional references to Shakespeare and other classic writing bring the story to a question for survival and Shep's shady past. Shep has not always been in the book seeking business. Apostolina admits to several literary influences, one of which is David Mamet's American Buffalo where things get out of hand.
At rise we meet Rosalind (turn of the last century Emily Goss) and, later, her mentor, Thomas (precise and sonorous Rob Nagle) both of whom, at first seem to be in another play all together.
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| Rob Nagle and Emily Goss Photo by Kathy Flynn |
Fancying himself a sort of Prospero, Thomas calls her Miranda. They eventually bend the trajectory of the story into a dark and nicely played mystery. Suffice it to say that Apostolina's homage to classic writers and his ability to meld them into these twists and turns... that may or may not be revealed... is considerable. Forever Bound is foreboding and funny and leaves us pretty much asea.
Ann Hearn Tobolowsky directs with a generous hand. In fact, to her credit, it doesn't show.
Scenic design for Forever Bound is by Pete Hickok; lighting design is by Bosco Flanagan. Simple and effective.
Michael Kalisz's poster.. and we rarely rate the posters... is perfect and carries the spirit of the play in a notable way, asking the pertinent question: "Are we all savages?"
World Premiere: Forever Bound
by Steve Apostolina
Atwater Village Theatre
3269 Casitas Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90039
Tickets and Information:
•(323)960-4429 www.plays411.com/foreverbound
Performances: May 11 – June 16
• Fridays at 8 p.m.: May 11 (Opening Night), May 18, May 25; June 1, June 8, June 15
• Saturdays at 8 p.m.: May 12, May 19, May 26, June 2, June 9, June 16
• Sundays at 2 p.m.: May 13, May 20, May 27; June 3, June 10
• Mondays at 8 p.m.: May 14, May 21, May 28; June 4, June 11
• Fridays at 8 p.m.: May 11 (Opening Night), May 18, May 25; June 1, June 8, June 15
• Saturdays at 8 p.m.: May 12, May 19, May 26, June 2, June 9, June 16
• Sundays at 2 p.m.: May 13, May 20, May 27; June 3, June 10
• Mondays at 8 p.m.: May 14, May 21, May 28; June 4, June 11
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